Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Casting a Sooners Spell: Meet the Newest Patriots - Ronnie Perkins and Rhamondre Stevenson — 5/19/2021

Episode Date: May 19, 2021

The New England Patriots are casting a ‘Sooners Spell’ on the roster in 2021. Two prominent members of the Oklahoma Sooners, are now wearing Patriot Blue; defensive end Ronnie Perkins and running back Rhamondre Stevenson. Joining host Mike D’Abate is John Williams, host of Locked On Sooners. Having covered both players during their time in Oklahoma, John provides valuable, expert insight on the newest members of the Patriots.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.NugenixText now, and they’ll include a bottle of Nugenix Thermo, their most powerful fat incinerator ever with key ingredients to help you get back in shape, absolutely free! Text DRAFT to 2-3-1-2-3-1.WealthfrontTo get your first $5,000 managed for FREE, for life, go to wealthfront.com/LockedOnNFL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you Foxborough faithful. You are now locked in to the Lockdown Patriots podcast. It is Wednesday, May 19th, 2021, and it is time to cast a little Sooner spell here on your daily home for news notes and analysis infused with the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. And of course, Pats fans, after you check out today's episode of Locked On Patriots,

be sure to check out my colleagues NFL analyst Brian Peacock and former NFL scout Matt Williamson as they host Locked On's Peacock and Williamson every Monday through Friday. Brian and Matt give you the national perspective all around the NFL, covering all the latest news and insight on every team, every draft pick, and every move around the NFL, covering all the latest news and insight on every team, every draft pick, and every move around the NFL. Get your picks, previews, and much more every weekday with the Peacock and Williamson Podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Happy Hump Day, Patriots Nation. Welcome to this Wednesday episode of the pod, and thank you for joining me today. My name is Mike DeBate, your host of the Locked On Patriots podcast, which of course is a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And because it's your team every day, that means your questions, comments, and feedback are always welcomed, very much appreciated. So share that feedback, send it to the internet by reaching out to me and following me on

Twitter at MDABATEFPC. And while you're out there doing some Wednesday wandering through the Twitterverse, please be sure to follow the Lockdown Patriots account as well at LO underscore Patriots. Pats fans, midweek is the perfect time to sit down and get to know some of the new guys. We've been doing that a lot here on Lockdown Patri Patriots. Whether it be a Locked On Bama Slamma with my man Luke Robinson, host of the Locked On Bama podcast, helping us get to know a little bit more about Mac Jones and Christian Barmore. Last week here on the pod, John Miller, host of Locked On Mizzou, gave us a little insight on Joshua Bledsoe. Today on the pod, we're going to

cast a little Sooner spell on all of you, as in Oklahoma Sooners. That's right, John Williams, host of the Locked On Sooners podcast, will join me here today. And even though the Patriots spent their first two picks on a couple of Bama boys, they went to Oklahoma for their next two. Defensive end, or in my opinion, outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins, and running back Ramondre Stevenson. And both of these picks raised a couple of eyebrows in Patriots Nation as they were chosen, but both have tremendous upside, and I think both

of these guys are going to make tremendous Patriots. But don't take my word for it, folks. John has covered these guys for the last few years down in Oklahoma, and he's got some amazing insight on both Ronnie Perkins and Ramondre Stevenson and their potential fit here in New England. I'm excited to talk with John today. He puts on an amazing show for Oklahoma Sooners fans. Definitely recommend checking out Locked On Sooners. Of course, after you've checked out Locked On Patriots.

But today, John and I will keep you covered with anything and everything you need to know about two of the newest Patriots in camp, Ronnie Perkins and Ramondre Stevenson. But before I welcome John to the Locked On Patriots hot seat today, there was a little news out of Patriots camp yesterday. That list of 2020 Patriots opt-outs that were opting back in for the 2021 NFL season keeps getting shorter and shorter by the day. Offensive lineman Najee Torin, we hardly knew ya. Learning yesterday afternoon, according to the NFL's transaction wire, that Taurin had in fact been waived by the team to make room for the re-signing of lineman James Ferentz and also Alex Redmond.

Also on Tuesday, the Patriots making official the signing of quarterback Brian Hoyer and Patriots rookie safety formerly of the University of Missouri, Joshua Bledsoe. And with the release of Najee T Torin, he joins the likes of Patrick Chung, Marquise Lee, Marcus Cannon, all of whom opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Of course, Patrick Chung retiring, Marcus Cannon traded to the Houston Texans, and Marquise Lee and Najee Torin being released outright. Right now, as it's set, only half of the eight opt-outs are set to return. That includes running back Brandon Bolden, tight end Matt Lacoste, fullback Danny Vitale, and despite what you'll hear out there, folks,

linebacker Dante Hightower. Right now, there's some speculation floating around the Twitterverse about Hightower's future here in New England, and the last thing I'm doing is trying to disprove anyone's theory, or even question anyone's report. All I can say is I've yet to hear anything that Dante is considering not coming back to the Patriots or that the team has any skepticism as to whether or not he'll be ready to go for the 2021 season. Again, folks, I'm not saying it's true, not saying it isn't, just saying I haven't heard it. In fact, linebacker Josh Uche spoke to the media yesterday and he sounded very eager and, in my opinion, pretty sure that he was going to be suiting up alongside Dante Hightower this year. So take that for what you will. Truth be told,

we won't know anything about Dante's future until he either puts on a uniform or doesn't this year, but if he does suit up this year, you can bet he will still make a major impact at the Mike linebacker position. And joining him on that Patriots defensive unit is new defensive end, or in my opinion, outside linebacker, Ronnie Perkins, formerly of the Oklahoma Sooners. Once again, today here on the pod, my colleague at the Locked On Podcast Network, John Williams, host of the Locked On Sooners podcast, will join me to discuss Ronnie Perkins, along with his former Sooners teammate, running back Ramondre Stevenson, and let us all know in New England why the Patriots might have snagged a couple of steals here as both of these players prepare to cast a Sooners spell over Foxborough.

My conversation with John Williams of Locked On Sooners when this Wednesday episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. But first, Patriots fans, listen up. Nugenix, the number one selling free testosterone booster at GNC, is offering a complimentary bottle to all NFL fans in America. To get your complimentary bottle of Nugenix Total T, text the word DRAFT, D-R-A-F-T, to 231-231. This unique man-boosting formula is powered by testofen, which helps boost free

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Of course, I'm talking about Pats rookies Ronnie Perkins and Ramondre Stevenson. And who better to provide the insight we all need here in Pats Nation than someone who knows these players very well. The host of the Locked On Sooners podcast, John Williams joins me here today. Welcome to Locked On Patriots, John. Thank you so much for joining me. Hey, Michael. Very much appreciate the time and look forward to talking about these two players.

They're definitely two of my favorites to watch over the last few years. Absolutely. And these two players have a lot of pedigree behind them, a lot of expectations, but also a lot of excitement surrounding them here in Foxborough. And I, for one, can't wait to watch either one of them, both of them take the field and to be able to contribute to this team in 2021

and beyond. And John, again, I think the Patriots have a couple of potential steals here from Oklahoma, both Perkins and Stevenson, again, tremendous upside. In my opinion, they really fit the Pats mold very well, and that's why I'm so excited to see what they can bring to the table here in New England. Let's start with Ronnie Perkins. A lot of fans, myself included, were pretty surprised that Ronnie was still there at No. 96 in the third round.

Bad for other teams, good for the New England Patriots because I think they really have a gem of their defense that can be a really formidable force here in New England for a couple of years, at least for many years to come. Perkins is a disruptive run defender, one of the things I think that endeared him most to Bill Belichick, but he's also a very tenacious pass rusher. He's got good burst, great closing speed. The more I'm watching film on him rushing the passer, I really love the dual threat capabilities he can bring to this defense. I think the Patriots might end up classifying him as an outside linebacker rather than a

traditional edge rusher. Patriots are a bit thick at the edge rusher position, and I think it's going to allow Ronnie to play upright, which I think is more conducive to his size, more conducive to his style. But overall, I think this is a solid depth piece with a chance to provide more value this season than his pick at number 96. And I think a potential stalwart in this defense for many years to come. John, from your time covering Ronnie Perkins, would you say that's an accurate assessment? Absolutely agree. Like you said, I was shocked that he fell to New England at the, it was like the last pick of the third round. Is that, I don't know if exactly, or 96, I can't remember exactly where it was, but for him to fall as far as he did was absolutely amazing to me because

you mentioned it, tenacious pass rusher, an an excellent run defender he's a guy that plays with excellent energy every single snap and i think part of the reason that he fell was the drug suspension for a positive marijuana test uh before the sugar bowl um in 2019 but we know and as you know the nfl has really laxed their rules on marijuana over the last several years. But I don't think that that should really fully define the kind of player that he is because he is a fantastic player. He's going to make New England fans very, very happy because he can rush the passer very well, very well. He was very productive. And that was the thing that surprised me, I guess, is because you look at guys that have his athletic ability, his work ethic, his just down in, down out consistency with

his effort and his production, and they don't fall as far as he fell. Some of it, I think, has to do with just the way the league and the way college football views Oklahoma's defense or views the big 12. But I think New England really got a steal here. And I think he's going to be a guy that's going to be very disruptive and teams are going to be really, really disappointed that they allowed Bill Belichick to get their, his hands on him. Absolutely. And that's one thing that I was looking at when it came to what Ronnie Perkins brings to the table, his skill set. And it really fits the Belichickian mold of a defender so well. Good size for his position. 6'3", 247 is what he's listed at. Five and a half sacks in six games last season. That should tell you something. This kid can get

home. He can get after the quarterback. He can disrupt what's going on in that offensive back field. And it really makes him an adequate defender against the run as well so yes i was surprised just like you were that he was there uh again i know the uh the suspension we'd look we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that it is a part of his portfolio however unfortunate but at the same time like you said the nfl is relaxing its policies when it comes to a lot of these types of suspensions for substances of that nature. So it's not a situation where I think it should speak negatively about his character or anything of that nature. I think Ronnie Perkins is coming in here and I think he's ready to prove himself,

maybe even with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder. And yeah, you don't want to give Ronnie a chip. You don't want to give Ronnie Perkins a chip on his shoulder. You really don't. Absolutely. Well, if you're the Patriots, you might want to do it because it might inspire it might inspire them to uh you know to have him uh you know get after some of these teams that passed on him and bill belichick is definitely not averse to that he's been known to tack up some stuff on the bulletin board i'm showing my age here john they don't tack up stuff on the bulletin board anymore but uh he will use that type of material to motivate. And a lot of times it does work to his advantage.

He's been doing it all of his tenure here in New England from the first Super Bowl when, you know, I talked about the Rams not giving them any respect. And the Steelers booking hotel rooms before they even got to the Super Bowl that year. Patriots ruined that to the Philadelphia Eagles and the parade route. I mean, Belichick's done that so I got a funny feeling he might have a little bug in the ear of Ronnie Perkins this year and letting you know them know you know number 96 they let you come to me let's show them what uh what you can really do and that does lead me quite nicely into my next question on Ronnie for you and that is adversity uh New England's defenders have a tendency to handle adverse situations very well. They take

the good, they take the bad, and they make good out of it on the field. They're able to utilize that training that they've had. They're able to utilize that chip, but they're also able to utilize the skill set that they have and really force it into becoming a very formidable defender in this league. Ronnie Perkins has a reputation, like you said, of being someone that's very tenacious, someone that has a nonstop motor that won't let up until the job is done. When it comes to adversity on the field, because that's such a hot topic in New England of players overcoming adversity, what type of tenacity does Ronnie Perkins bring to the table that's going to endear him to the fan base here in New England?

Well, I think Lincoln Riley spoke to a lot of that when he was going through his suspension. Ronnie was just eager to play every single week, and as long as the suspension continued, he was just itching, just chomping at the bit to get out there and play with his teammates, and he would travel with him to away games and when the suspension finally did lift reports are that the locker room erupted when he got back into you know got back into the fold and you can see the

difference that he made on oklahoma's defense oklahoma's defense was solid and they were getting better after they lost to iowa state and kansas state and then went to like quadruple or overtime against Texas they were starting to get better but it was really when when Ronnie Perkins came back into the fold that that defense went to a whole nother level he he just inspired that whole team he was a huge leader on that defense and I think that's going to speak well and speak positively to Patriots fans I think they're going to absolutely love this kid. Yeah, excellent. Great information on Ronnie Perkins, John, and I agree with you. I really think that the combination of attitude, the combination of skill set, and just that never ending motor and that ability and that willingness to do whatever it takes to win is something that

will endear him to Patriots Nation. And a lot of the fans here are very excited about what the future and what Ronnie Perkins can do here in Foxborough. But Ronnie's not the only Oklahoma product that's finding his way to Foxborough this season, folks. Running back Ramondre Stevenson will be a New England Patriot this year as well. And some have gone out on a limb and said he might actually be the next star running back in New England's backfield. Why might Ramondre Steven actually be the next star running back in New England's backfield. Why might Ramondre Stevenson be such a good fit here in New England? John Williams of the Locked On Sooners podcast will tell us when the Locked On Patriots podcast

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Patriots fans, John Williams, host of the Locked On Sooners podcast, joining me here today. And John, in the previous segment, you gave us some excellent insight when it comes to Ronnie Perkins and the type of New England Patriot he's going to make, the prototypical fit that I think he provides in this Patriots defense. But as much of the Pats fan base clamored for a wide receiver throughout this draft process, New England decided to use their only fourth round selection on Ramondre Stevenson, a player you know very well, Sooner's running back. And I, again, think he fits the Patriots system very well. I really liked this pick for the Patriots. He has the potential to be a dual threat rusher. He's

physical, very impressive with his stiff arm. I've watched some film on him and really, I mean, demonstrates a toughness, uses his size very well to his advantage. He's got a natural power run style. But the thing that surprised me about Ramondre is his athleticism. He's got a natural power run style. But the thing that surprised me about Romandre is his athleticism. He's athletic enough to make tacklers miss in short yardage. So for everyone who thinks that he's just this big, lumbering running back, I think there's a tremendous amount of athleticism in him that'll allow him to break free and rip off some pretty decent runs. I think it's going to be interesting to see how the Patriots deploy him. Stevenson is drawing a lot of comparisons to former Patriot running back LeGarrette Blount. I think that's

a pretty good comparison because I think LeGarrette was a little bit of a better athlete than he got credit for as well. But you've covered him. You know, Ramondre's capabilities as well as anyone, John. What type of running back on the field will the Patriots be getting in Ramondre Stevenson? Well, I think you covered it. I think he's an underrated athlete. He's very nimble and he's very elusive. I think you go back and watch some of his games from last year and he wasn't just running over people and he's got the size to do that, but he was also making a lot of people miss with some really nifty footwork, just really good vision, I think, to set up blocks, not just on the first level with the offensive line, but at the second level as well as the offensive line climbs

to the linebackers and the safeties. He's just a very good running back. And he's one of those guys that's not really had a ton of usage. He came to Oklahoma as a JUCO transfer in 2019, never got more than 10 carries, was playing as the backup running back to Kennedy Brooks and so didn't always necessarily lead the way for Oklahoma and then last year and again a guy that was suspended missed the first six games of the season and then or four or five games I can't remember exactly how many it was but missed part of the season but then came in and led the Oklahoma Sooners in running rushing as well and again like we talked about with Ronnie he gave their offense a huge lift when he came back against Texas Tech and scored three touchdowns in his first game back on the season I think LeGarrette Blount's a good a good comp I also kind of

compared him to Derek Henry who you know Henry is very physical back but he's also an elusive back he's not just a guy that's always trying to run people over. And you mentioned the stiff arm. He's got that stiff arm capability as well. Ramondre, he's a very underrated player. And I think, again, the lack of usage over his junior and senior year might have scared some teams off to wonder if he could carry a full workload. But he's a guy that's fully capable of carrying the ball 15 to 20 times a game and leading your rushing attack. And you mentioned the receiving skills. Again, another underrated part of his arsenal.

He's very, very good at receiving and taking the ball, and he's capable of big plays in both the passing game and the running game. Absolutely. And one of the big things that Patriots running backs are known to be adept at or really have a penchant for is to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, not just utilize the ground and their legs to their advantage, but also to be able to catch the ball in short situations, whether it be a jet sweep or whether it be a play action, allowing themselves to be able to catch the ball, extend plays,

and really be a threat in the passing game, like you said, as well as the running game. And that does lead me quite nicely into my final question for you today on Ramondre Stevenson. And that is the backfield, because you mentioned that the lack of usage might have given teams a little reticence on whether or not he could handle a full load. In New England, he's going to be joined by a very crowded backfield, which was the knock on the pick when I first heard about it. Not for me. I really liked this pick right from the get-go, but there were some within the fan base, even some within the media that said Patriots are well-stocked at running back. Why are they making a draft pick

this high up in order to bring someone in that may not be able to see the field in year one. But if you look typically at how the Patriots deploy their running backs, how they develop them, they almost enter their first season knowing that they're going to see little to minimal playing time, maybe even, dare I say, the quote-unquote redshirt terminology. You've seen it with, or we've seen it up here in New England with James White, Damian Harris, essentially redshirting their first seasons with the team, seeing very little time on the field, maybe in just, you know, either inconsequential situations or, you know, just opportunities to get in the game whenever they can.

It's worked out very well for them. Obviously, James White has gone on to a great career in the game whenever they can. It's worked out very well for them. Obviously, James White has gone on to a great career in the NFL. Damian Harris is emerging as one of the better running backs in the AFC. But this gives them a chance to learn the system and to really hone into their own skill set. Again, having covered Ramondre Stevenson and knowing his desire to get out on the field and to be able to show what he can do how do you think he'll react to that type of development if the patriots choose to develop him that way and really i think in the converse if the patriots are forced to use

remandre right out of the gate right off the bat whether it be to injuries to sony michelle or another running back on the squad um how would he be able to handle that type of load? Which is more ideal for Ramondre Stevenson? Well, I think he could do whatever you need him to. I think he's going to be a really good teammate. I think he's a guy that's capable of taking the ball right away because he's fresh. I mean, he did play a lot last year, but he only played in six games. But in his junior year, he only carried the ball 64 times over a 13-game span. So barely maybe five carries a game for him. And he never really complained about that. You never saw him moping on the sideline,

never saw him frustrated or disgruntled about his lack of usage. He's just a guy that wants to get out there and play football whenever he gets the opportunity to play. And even if he's only getting five, six, seven carries a game, if that, then he's going to make big plays for you. He's capable of taking a small workload and still creating big plays. He's not a volume runner like maybe a Frank Gore. It has become late in his career.

He's a guy that's very capable of doing whatever you need him to do. If you want him to kind of take this year and just learn the Patriots way and learn the Patriot offense and then come back and get ready in 2022 and be the guy, then he'll be ready to do that. But I think he's going to fit in really, really well into that short yardage role that Bill Belichick likes to use in New England. We saw it with several different runners, but LeGarrette Blount is the one that made it kind of likes to use in New England. We saw it with several different runners, but LeGarrette Blount is the one that made it kind of the most popular in New England.

When they use him in short yardage or they use him in the third and fourth quarter to help grind out games, I think that's going to be the guy that you're going to want on the field when they get a lead. Great insight. Great insight when it comes to Ramondre Stevenson. And I agree with you that in short yardage, he is going to be a primary option for this team. If it's not in 2021, it'll definitely be in 2022. The Patriots used strong draft capital. They value fourth rounders a great deal. And believe me when I tell you, they're definitely going to want to get their money's worth out of Ramondre Stevenson. And I believe he's going to deliver that and then some I'm not completely sure that

their plan is to utilize him in an extensive mode right off the bat again I'm just going by the Patriots history and how they've developed running back so for all Sooners fans out there that are listening to this podcast if you don't see Ramondre Stevenson used an awful lot don't get discouraged this is a plan this is part of how the Patriots develop these players. It's not an indictment on how they feel about him or any stretch of that nature. Believe me, they value Ramondre Stevenson. And if they don't utilize him extensively because of, you know, their prowess or their, you know, stacking of the decks when it comes to the depth chart, that really, I think, would speak highly of him because it means that they have high hopes for him. It means that they want to be able to

bring him along and give him the opportunity to succeed right off the bat. But it's good to know that insight is there, especially from you, John, having covered him, that if there are injuries to a Sonny Michel who has an injury history, let's face it, or if there are injuries to Damian Harris, who spent time on IR last year. I mean, anything can happen in the NFL, and it's always good to have a wealth of talent at a position that is a key part of your offense, and the runners are going to be a key element

of this offense this year. So it's good to know that he can handle the load. And again, I fully agree. I think he can do it no matter how they bring him along. They've got a good one in Ramondre Stevenson. John, I really appreciate you taking the time out today

to come on Locked on Patriots. Give us some insight when it comes to the new sooner tandem that the Patriots are going to put out on the field this year when it comes to Ronnie Perkins and Ramondre Stevenson.

And we'd love to have you back maybe during training camp or right before the season to kind of get a progress check and to discuss how these players are developing. In the meantime, before I let you go, my friend, please let all of our listeners on Locked On Patriots here know where they can catch you, your great show, and what you have coming down the pike

from the great work that we can expect from you, my friend. Yeah, so you can follow me on Twitter at John9Williams. You can follow our show on Twitter at LockedOnSooners. And coming up on our Wednesday episode, we've got the great Tony Casillas, 1985 national champion, two-time All-American, 1992 and 1993 Super Bowl winner with the Dallas Cowboys. So he sat down with us and talked Sooners defense for about 30 minutes, and it was fantastic, man. So make sure you all check that episode out.

If you're a Sooners fan, we'd love to have you follow the show. Absolutely, and I will definitely be listening to that. Tony is a true legend in this game, and any time you have the opportunity to hear what some of these legends bring to the table and what they've done in the NFL and here at firsthand, there's nothing better. And it's content you can find only here on the locked on podcast network and the great work done across all of our pods and all the major platforms,

John, again, best of luck to you. I can't wait to listen to the episode with Tony, but bottom line, I'm a fan and I will continue to be. Thank you for your insight today. And we look forward to talking ball with you again here soon again on Locked on Patriots.

And so, Patriots fans, we are now more than halfway through your work week, and even though Locked on Patriots has you covered for all the daily news notes and analysis you need from Foxborough, how about that victory from the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night? Today on the Locked On Today podcast, we hear all about Jason Tatum putting a 50 spot up on the scoreboard and putting the Boston Celtics on his back, advancing them out of the play-in round and into the playoffs. Get more of the sports news you need in less time with the Locked On Today podcast.

Follow the Locked On Today podcast on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. And as for the latest on your New England Patriots, don't miss a single second of the action. Follow the Locked On Patriots podcast on platforms such as the Odyssey app, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts, just make sure that you are staying locked in to Locked On Patriots. Once again, my name is Mike DeBate. I thank my colleague, John Williams, host of the Locked On Sooners podcast for his time, his insight, and his appearance on today's pod. But most of all, I thank you so much for listening and for continuing to make Locked On Patriots

a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Until next time, Foxborough faithful, stay safe, stay well, be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone.